Muscarinic-activated K+ current in bovine aortic endothelial cells

Circ Res. 1988 Jun;62(6):1059-64. doi: 10.1161/01.res.62.6.1059.

Abstract

Isolated, cultured arterial endothelial cells express an acetylcholine (ACh)-activated K+ current in addition to an inward rectifier current whose conductance is unaffected by ACh. The cholinergic K+ current is specifically blocked by atropine (1 microM) and shows single saturation kinetics with ACh (half-maximal stimulation 51 nM ACh). Unlike the cardiac muscarinic receptor-gated K+ channel, its stimulation appears independent of a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. Activation of the endothelial muscarinic K+ current resulting in hyperpolarization may represent an initial component of the vasodilatory effect of ACh.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcholine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Aorta / cytology
  • Aorta / metabolism*
  • Aorta / physiology
  • Calcium / pharmacology
  • Cattle
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Ion Channels / physiology*
  • Kinetics
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Potassium / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Muscarinic / metabolism
  • Receptors, Muscarinic / physiology*

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Receptors, Muscarinic
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Acetylcholine
  • Potassium
  • Calcium